Planning Your 2025 Summer Vacation

If you haven't planned your summer travels yet, that's okay, but you also need to get on it. The closer we get to June, the more expensive flights and hotels are going to get. Do you need a little bit of a kick in the pants? Maybe some suggestions for where to go? Or some tips to make your trip more affordable?

One of the most exciting parts about a vacation is planning one. Reading all the local guides, learning about the local attractions and even reading social media pages to discover food? It’s all part of the experience and you get the experience from the moment you begin your journey to plan! If you're still hoping to go somewhere when the kids get out of school, and not spend every dollar you have, then I've got some great tips for you:

Book ASAP

Make sure you're getting on booking things you need as soon as you can, because you don't want to end up spending twice as much as you have to. Look to book your airfare Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Sunday. These are when the sales are out, but definitely sign up for emails for your preferred home airport to destination airport. This way, you'll be the first to know when there are deals. It's generally cheaper to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, so I always try to fit my trip in between some combo of those days. 

Go Sooner Or Later

Mid-June through mid-August is peak summer travel times. If you can go at the beginning of June or the end of August, you might be able to get a deal and beat some of the worst crowds. And if you can go before before Memorial Day, not only will you save a lot more, you'll also need to book everything, like, yesterday. 

Book a Ride-Share Car

Need a rental car? Then skip the traditional rental companies if you can. They are still charging vast amounts of money for their shrunken fleets. I have almost exclusively used Turo for the last 5-6 years, but you can also rent through Uber now, too. These are basically Airbnb, but for cars. I've saved half off traditional rental rates this way. If you're looking for a less expensive, but more convenient rental experience from a more traditional company, check out Kyte, where they will bring the car to you.

Get Online Discounts

If you're looking to do a bunch of stuff on your trip, then see if you can get a discount by booking ahead online before you go. You can easily find promo codes for things as you're booking them, especially if you're using Chrome extensions like Honey or Rakuten, which will try all available codes at checkout. Not only that, but you'll get cashback on your purchases where these are available and save twice.

Go somewhere different

Your kids are always going to want to go to theme parks or the beach during the summer, but by changing up your destination, you can actually save a little or a lot of money. If they insist on going to the beach, look for lakeside resorts near where you live. Most still have a beach and everything that goes along with it, unless surfing is on the agenda. Other ideas are to visit cold-weather destinations or South America. The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter during our summer, making it a less desirable place to vacation. Less desirable equals more affordable. South America is close, but there are so many different places to choose from that are amazing, tropical and super budget-friendly.

Some great budget-friendly destinations for the summer broken down by month:

June: Bali, Dublin, Krakow, Japan, Las Vegas, Mexico, New York City, Portugal, San Diego, Toronto, Vietnam, Washington (State)

July: Brazil, Chicago, Costa Rica, Dallas, Denver, Ecuador, Georgia (State), Hungary, Morocco, Myrtle Beach, Nepal, New Orleans, Thailand

August: Bulgaria, Colombia, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, Gatlinburg, Georgia (country), Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, Turkey (Turkiye)

Consider an RV Adventure

If you’re looking for a flexible and budget-friendly way to travel this summer, why not consider a road trip and stay at an RV park? Renting or borrowing an RV gives you the freedom to explore hidden gems off the beaten path, avoid expensive hotel stays, and cook your own meals on the go. Whether you’re chasing mountain views, national parks, or quiet lakeside mornings, there are thousands of RV parks across the country that offer scenic, family-friendly accommodations. This kind of trip is especially ideal for families who want adventure on their own schedule without blowing the budget.

If you need a lot more summer travel tips, don't forget to check out my summer travel ebook and look for more ideas on where to go, how/what to pack, and other ways to save on all your trips. I also send out other travel tips that you won't find on the blog through my newsletter. 

I'll be spending some time in Sacramento in July. Where will your summer travels take you this year? Tell me in the comments!

Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!

Black History Month Wrap-Up

If you aren't on Facebook as much or at all anymore, then you probably missed some or all of my Black History Month travel stories, but don't worry, because I've rounded them all up for you to read at your leisure. While Google is complying in advance to the government wanting to do away with Black History Month, I continue to get 400 emails a day regarding travel, and many of those have great Black travel stories, which I have been saving for this and my own travels.

"The Wonder Gaze" from Ken Gonzales-Day's Erased Lynchings series

Remember, Black history IS important history, especially in America, and educating yourself on that history while you travel is smart. It may rarely be feel-good, but history isn't there to make you comfortable. I hope you will add some important local history and culture to each of your trips, so you understand more about your destinations by the time you go home.

"The White Man's Burden" by Deanna Bowen

February 1

Nature and outdoors is for everyone. Disappointed by the low percentages of people of color visiting U.S. national parks, Diamon Clark and Kristen Walker are creating a sense of ownership through Our Parks Too.

February 2

When you know historical facts most others don't, you go out and teach it yourself! Sampson Levingston leads walking tours in Indianapolis that cover histories even locals are surprised by.

February 3

Most of America's music has roots in Native American and Black culture. Learn the history of music at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.

February 4

Black cowboy culture is more than just a moment; it is a reclamation of history as it happened. What you never learned about cowboy culture from all those westerns you used to watch.

February 5

In sports that are historically classist and white, these people are making skiing and snowboarding more inclusive to POC.

February 6

When the duo behind Houston’s Bludorn restaurant took a pilgrimage to Senegal, they brought back a new definition of hospitality—and an appreciation for the flavors of home.

February 7

Get smarter in minutes, when you follow Blair Imani. She gives you bite-size vids about Black history, Black-owned businesses, world events, clothing, makeup, and more!

"Love and Loss in the Milky Way" by Fred Wilson

February 8

Washington DC's iconic carousel has a nice piece of Civil Rights history.

February 9

You can find Black history everywhere, even if you think there isn't any. Even in Paris, you can learn about poets and activists and painters.

February 10

There is still a grave underrepresentation of Black owned breweries, wineries, and spirit makers. Here are some fantastic businesses to support.

February 11

Black Restaurant Week is a celebration aimed at introducing you to the diverse tastes of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine throughout the country. Whether you’re dining at a restaurant, bakery, café, or food truck, diners can savor budget-friendly menu selections and explore a rich array of international flavors.

February 12

If you want to learn more about how to use your garden plants (or those found in your local woods or park or while you're traveling around new places), follow Alexis Nikole, better known as @BlackForager on FB and IG. She's a lovely Black creator that knows SO MUCH about foraging and using plants to make amazing things.

February 13

Even though Black travelers spend roughly $109 billion annually on domestic leisure travel, making up more than 13 percent of the U.S. travel market, they’re often underrepresented in destination messaging and initiatives. New York is making sure Black travelers have the Empire State on their list of must-visit destinations.

February 14

From the exhibits at The National Constitution Center to the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal or AME church, there’s more African American history to be revealed, digested and remembered in Philadelphia than meets the eye.

"White Noise, American Prayer Rug" by Nicholas Galanin

February 15  

Once a holding cell for kidnapped Africans, the island’s House of Slaves is today a UNESCO World Heritage site—and the site of healing and atonement.  

February 16

Do you need a dose of happy in your day? Follow ColorMeCourtney for colorful outfits, travel, and decor. Find her @Colormecourtney on IG and other socials.

February 17

Celebrate Black History Month all year long with your favorite Black‑owned restaurants redefining vegan cuisine.

February 18

Follow in the footsteps of Black thinkers, traders, and leaders who contributed to the rich history of Hawai‘i.

February 19

From vibrant villages near Cartagena to historic sites in West Africa and the Caribbean, many places worldwide have preserved structures in places that encapsulate the essence of Black heritage and stories.

February 20

If you love Disney, Universal, haunted houses, Harry Potter, and food & hotel reviews, Adriana is your girl. She runs her own YT channel and is also the host of Iconic Eats, where she tries theme park and cruise food and drinks. We love her. She's bubbly and enthusiastic about everything she does. Find her @bibbidibobbidi_broke on YT and all the socials.

February 21

Amtrak Presents Freedom of Movement: The Legacy of Train Travel in Black History (video)

Historical timeline, with what I think is one of the most "interesting" eras

February 22

Motorcycle pioneer Bessie Stringfield made history when traveling alone as a Black woman was unimaginable.

February 23

Unlike Ellis Island, a tourist destination with a must-see museum and database where visitors can track their lineage, there's little in Charleston memorializing the area's relationship to the African American experience.

February 24

Sibongile Sambo, a rejected flight attendant, started her own aviation business, making history as Africa's first all-female jet company.

February 25

It's always worth it to rent a car and take a day trip from New Orleans, especially if you're looking for deep history. This building was the headquarters of a historic Black benevolent society and remains the oldest virtually unaltered jazz hall on earth.

February 26

If you love Disney and fitness, Brittany Noelle meshes the two together. She's bubbly and you'll often find her donning her wizard gear at the parks, as well as showing folx how to do workouts for any level that are tailored to specific characters. Find her @magicalfitbritt on IG. For more just fitness videos, find her on @b_noellefitness.

February 27

Asheville, North Carolina, is now home to one of the few Black heritage trails in Appalachia. This 1-mile trail passes through 3 neighborhoods.

February 28

Tayo Aina's rise from Uber driver to internationally acclaimed African Travel Content Creator and storyteller is inspiring.

I hope you were able to add some new destinations to your travel list and maybe were inspired to look for more ways to include important history in your travels. You don't always have to visit museums to do it.

Do you have a favorite Black history museum, tour, or restaurant? Tell me below!

Nashville Wish List

We're Nashville bound soon, but also splitting our time to go to the Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Gatlinburg area. Why Nashville? Well, I simply looked at places that were still warm in September/October and where we haven't visited and that's how we landed on Music City. We also had been wanting to do Dollywood for a long time.

Photo by Andrew Sterling on Unsplash

As someone who was born in Tennessee, I always think about going back and immersing myself in that atmosphere, the people, the food, and the history. We aren't fans of country music really. I stopped listening in the late 90s and have not really loved most of that genre since. Because of this, we have decided to not visit the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Grand Ole Opry, but there are so many other things to do instead:

Photo by Josh Rocklage on Unsplash

National Museum of African American Music

Black people created country music, despite what you may feel about the industry right now. There have been some inroads made there, but the fact that even Beyoncé didn't even get into the running to win an award in country music shows that it's not enough. Anyway, the NMAAM is a one-of-a-kind museum that showcases all of African American music, which is so varied, and its historical significance. 

Photo by Thomas Le on Unsplash

Nashville Farmer's Market

You know I love a farmers' market and the Nashville Farmer's Market is open 7 days a week and into the evening. I imagine it's a lot like Reading Terminal Market in Philly, but I aim to find out. I feel like this is the place to find the real local foods and authentic meals. I also really love talking to people at a market and learn about their farms, animals, vineyards, and processes. They're always really happy to talk to someone about their work and gives you more perspective on the food you eat and the reasons behind the prices you're paying.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Cheekwood Harvest Festival

I've been listening to City Cast Nashville, like I did before going to Denver, and like I do every day for Portland. Their episode on things to do in Nashville in September gave me a few ideas, but the top one was the Cheekwood Harvest Festival. Cheekwood is an estate that you can tour that has a botanical garden, a Japanese garden, art, and more. The harvest festival brings in tons of pumpkins for photo ops (and probably purchase) and they even have a scarecrow trail, with unique scarecrows made by those in the community.

Photo by Mike Gattorna on Unsplash

Riverfront walk

You can't go to a city that has a river and not walk along it. I mean, there's a park to visit, but look at these views!

Photo by Katy Anne on Unsplash

City murals
We've been doing a lot of art walks on our trips, because most major cities (and even a lot of small ones) have a large artistic community that work to beautify a city through large wall murals on the public buildings. I've talked about the guided graffiti art walk we did in Denver, but this time we're going to be taking two separate self-guided walks based on city maps. I'd say to follow me on IG for a lot of free art shots.

Photo by Brian Morin on Unsplash

Parthenon

Nashville has the only full-scale replica of the Parthenon in the world. Once known as "The Athens of the South", Nashville took this to heart when they celebrated 100 years of statehood. They erected this replica of the Greek Parthenon and turned it into an art museum. It creates an affordable way for people to gain access to fine art, history, and education. 

Photo by Chad Morehead on Unsplash

Broadway St

It's clearly a tourist trap, but you can't go to Nashville and skip visiting the most popular street for honky tonk bars. Think of it of the equivalent of New Orleans' Bourbon Street. 

Photo by Blake Guidry on Unsplash

Nashville Hot Chicken

Gotta eat the local foods and Nashville brings the southern comfort foods and brought hot chicken to the people as their foodie contribution. I've only ever had hot chicken at home, so I'm interested to see what it tastes like where it originated.

Photo by Adam Kring on Unsplash

Dollywood

It's not Disneyland, but Dolly Parton has done so much good for her community that even if I thought the theme park would be bad, I'd still want to contribute to this amazing person. Each year, Dollywood unveils a new ride and right now they have a two-days-for-one ticket deal, so even if we don't spend an entire second day there, it's okay. They're having their own harvest festival right now though, so we'll be indulging in all the jack-o-lantern selfies and the harvest food specials. Plus, there's a train!

Photo by Susan Q Yin on Unsplash

Astra Lumina

Astra Lumina is a "Celestial Pathway of Lustrous Light, Cosmic Vsions & Astral song." It looks similar in a way to the Forbidden Forest Experience that I have yet to get to. I found out that Astra Lumina was going to be in Seattle and put myself on the wait list to learn when tickets went on sale, but then I found out that they were going to be in Gatlinburg. We're already going to be 10 minutes away in Dollywood, and though we have to buy day passes to the adventure park it's being held at, it's still more convenient and cheaper than having to plan a separate trip to Seattle.

Photo by Stephen Ellis on Unsplash

Sunsphere
We'll be passing through Knoxville on our way to and from Pigeon Forge. They have a World's Fair Park that is home to the Sunsphere, a big golden sphere that was build for the 1982 World's Fair that offers 360-degree views of downtown Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains. 

We've got a few more things planned for our visit, but these are the must-do things we have on our list and many we've already bought tickets for. If you have suggestions for things we should do, see, or eat, I'd love to see them in the comments. 

Have you been to Nashville or are you hoping to visit?

Shereen Travels Cheap Turns 14!

After, basically, a year of California travel (though I'm not complaining) and a quick road trip to Vancouver BC, we're finally getting back on track with more regular (for us) travel and our lives. While we didn't end up going to Hawaii this year, we have two trips in the books and two (or three) more on the calendar. The blog has hit yet another milestone. We've been around for 14 years! 

Although we were promised a Travel Goods Show move to Chicago, it has once again returned to Las Vegas, which is great news to me, because I love Vegas, I have family there, and it's much easier and cheaper for me to go and stay there than it is most other destinations, though New Orleans was a great trip in 2020. So, I made some new contacts there and was excited for the new trends. This next year sounds to be even more exciting.

This last month saw us in Sacramento for a family reunion. We stayed three extra days to do some sightseeing and touristy stuff, catch up with some family outside of the reunion, eat some good food, and just generally enjoy a change of scenery and our nice hotel room in Midtown.

I have set up a Linktr.ee storefront for all the recommended travel items, clothing, and services I use that you might want to use, too. I'm working on more videos, some of which may be part of a new membership I'm starting for those of you who are looking for more travel content, more in-depth packing help, and other info and recommendations to help you travel better. 

Next up, we have a short trip to Denver and then a longer trip to Nashville that will include a Dollywood visit. We are tentatively planning a trip to Vegas for late November, early December. 

I know we talked about the possibility of pushing off our trip to Toronto to this year, but we decided to pivot instead. And now, next year, we're talking about Greece and/or Malta. I've been dying to go to Malta for over a decade, and you've heard me get excited about it more than a few times on here. 

Also, 2025 will see a return of me in Vegas several times, possibly a weekend in Seattle, and perhaps an early warm-weather getaway to New Mexico at the beginning of the year.

Coming up on the blog: 

• Packing tutorial for late summer getaways
• Mix-and-match packing for fall travel
• Visiting the Sacramento Train Museum
• Sacramento Underground and gunslingers tours
• Street art around Sacramento
• Where to travel for less this fall/winter
• Using Denver CityPASS
• Denver street art walking tour
• Meow Wolf's Convergence Station 

And here are some of the most popular past posts that you may have missed:

• 8 Budget-Friendly International Destinations for December
• How To Pack Your Road Trip Cooler
• Where to Travel Alone in 2024
• How London Explorer Pass Can Save You Big
• 5 Budget-Friendly Destinations for the Solo Traveler

I've got a lot more planned for the future, but I would also love your feedback on what you're looking forward to as well, Feel free to use the comments for your suggestions. Thank you for continuing to follow along on my travels, coming back to learn about cool destinations, and learning about the new travel trends and tips to make your trips cheaper and more fun. 

Where are you hoping to travel over the next year?

Pride + Travel

Traveling for Pride is not new, but it seems to be a lot more popular, or easier to share, now. Pride is a celebration and a party, and a sense of community wherever you are. I love the idea that people want to experience Pride outside of their hometown, but also that they may not have celebrations at home, or even feel safe there, so they go where they can be themselves. 

The LGBTQIA+ community experiences similar discrimination wherever they are, so being able to engage with others is always joyful, celebratory, and has a feeling of understanding. Pride is so accepting and lovely, that I love going to events as an ally. It's one of those atmospheres where I always feel safe in the people around me and I hope that's how everyone feels. 

Outside of Pride celebrations, there are other ways you can learn about the history of Pride when you travel. A few places that are very important to the protest that has gotten us to where we are today:

California

The Black Cat in Los Angeles might sound familiar to you, as it was the site of a peaceful protest of 200 people in 1967; however, the LA area has many other great places to learn about the city's place in Pride history. 

You already know that San Francisco is sort of a gay mecca, but did you know that it also has the world's first official transgender district? I didn't, and I think that's amazing.

Georgia

The Atlanta Eagle bar is a leather bar that has moved locations, but still kept its community and welcoming atmosphere, plus it has officially been declared a landmark as of 2020.

Florida

Despite all the politics and intolerance of the state of Florida right now, it still houses one of the U.S.'s more important museums for Pride history. The World AIDS Museum in Fort Lauderdale. Wilton Manors is next door and is one of the country's most welcoming and LGBTQ-friendly communities. Now you can frequent a bunch of queer-owned businesses and historical sites, but you can also indulge in some of the many Pride events they put on every June. 

Louisiana

New Orleans is known for it's good times and party vibes, so it's no surprise that Pride has it's foothold there, too. Café Lafitte in Exile opened in 1933 and is the oldest continuously-operating gay bar in the U.S. (according to them). 

New York

Stonewall Inn in New York City is the beginning of most people's knowledge of Pride and where it all went down. But it's not the only landmark in New York that's important. Here are 14 other places to visit while you're there.

If you're traveling to New York during the warmer months and hope to get away from the city, there are even quite a few "gay" beaches, so bring your suit and sunscreen and relax at one of these places.

Texas

While religious organizations aren't really known for being that accepting of the LBGTQ+ community, but Dallas's Cathedral of Hope is known as being the largest LGBTQ+-welcoming congregation in the U.S. Their Interfaith Peace Chapel was designed by famous gay architect Philip Johnson.

Before it became known for it's accepting and "weird" reputation, Austin had a small district where the LGBTQ community found a safe space to be themselves and Oilcan Harry's was one such place, known to invest quite a lot in the art of drag, it is the city's longest-running gay bar.

A hotel in Port Aransas known for welcoming everyone, the Seahorse Inn has been a site for activism, art, politics, community, and also leisure and recreation. Not only was Pride a big part of the Seahorse, but you can enjoy the mid-century modern architecture, too. 

I hope this helps you find more Pride in your travels and life in general. We can all use more tolerance, diversity, and rainbows in our world. Do you have a favorite LBGTQ+ business, destination, or event?

Is Your Summer Vacation Planned?

I'm asking you this because it's already May and if you haven't planned your summer trip yet, you definitely need to get on that. The longer you wait, the more expensive things will be. Right now, I'm still seeing airfare deals and you probably will still be able to get an okay deal on a hotel (and still get a room before they all fill up). 

If you're still hoping to go somewhere when the kids get out of school, and not spend every dollar you have, then I've got some great tips for you:

Book ASAP

Make sure you're getting on booking things you need as soon as you can, because you don't want to end up spending twice as much as you have to. Look to book your airfare Tuesday, Wednesday, or even Sunday. These are when the sales are out, but definitely sign up for emails for your preferred home airport to destination airport. This way, you'll be the first to know when there are deals. It's generally cheaper to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, so I always try to fit my trip in between some combo of those days. 

Go Sooner Or Later

Mid-June through mid-August is peak summer travel times. If you can go at the beginning of June or the end of August, you might be able to get a deal and beat some of the worst crowds. And if you can go before before Memorial Day, not only will you save a lot more, you'll also need to book everything, like, yesterday. 

Book a Ride-Share Car

Need a rental car? Then skip the traditional rental companies if you can. They are still charging vast amounts of money for their shrunken fleets. I have almost exclusively used Turo for the last 5-6 years, but you can also rent through Uber now, too. These are basically Airbnb, but for cars. I've saved half off traditional rental rates this way. If you're looking for a less expensive, but more convenient rental experience from a more traditional company, check out Kyte, where they will bring the car to you.

Get Online Discounts

If you're looking to do a bunch of stuff on your trip, then see if you can get a discount by booking ahead online before you go. You can easily find promo codes for things as you're booking them, especially if you're using Chrome extensions like Honey or Rakuten, which will try all available codes at checkout. Not only that, but you'll get cashback on your purchases where these are available and save twice.

Go somewhere different

Your kids are always going to want to go to theme parks or the beach during the summer, but by changing up your destination, you can actually save a little or a lot of money. If they insist on going to the beach, look for lakeside resorts near where you live. Most still have a beach and everything that goes along with it, unless surfing is on the agenda. Other ideas are to visit cold-weather destinations or South America. The Southern Hemisphere experiences winter during our summer, making it a less desirable place to vacation. Less desirable equals more affordable. South America is close, but there are so many different places to choose from that are amazing, tropical and super budget-friendly.

Some great budget-friendly destinations for the summer broken down by month:

June: Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Las Vegas, Mexico, New York City, Portugal, San Diego, Toronto, Vietnam, Washington (State)

July: Argentina, Cambodia, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Georgia (State), Montreal, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, Thailand

August: Bali, Bulgaria, Cuba, Curaçao, Ecuador, Gatlinburg, Portugal, Las Vegas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Turkey (Turkiye)

If you need a lot more summer travel tips, don't forget to check out my summer travel ebook and look for more ideas on where to go, how/what to pack, and other ways to save on all your trips. I also send out other travel tips that you won't find on the blog through my newsletter. 

I'll be spending some time in Sacramento in July. Where will your summer travels take you this year? Tell me in the comments!

Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!